Princeton Teacher To Compete On 'Jeopardy!'

PRINCETON, NJ — Hopewell resident and Princeton High School Teacher Kian Barry will be competing on the television trivia game show "Jeopardy!" on Oct. 4.

Barry said he had to go through a very long process to be selected. “Trying out for the show was a result of being interested in trivia and being really, really interested in everything my whole life,” Barry said.

First contestants must take an online test that is given once a year. From there 100,000 to 200,000 people who pass that test from around the country are asked to take a written test, then a simulated game with other people and finally an interview portion.

Barry had passed the tests in 2014 but was not selected for the show. He was kept in a pool where he could be chosen for about 18 months.

This past June, Barry reapplied and passed all of the tests again. But this time he made the cut. He was told at the end of June he would be filming in July.

“I mean it was an incredible feeling,” Barry said. “It is something that is an institution in the United States. It is something I have been watching since I was a little kid.”

With only about a month to study, Barry focused on topics that were not necessarily his strong suit.

“I focused on learning popular ballets and classical music pieces and opera, general literature,” Barry said.

He also played simulated games. Luckily his parents had a year's worth of "Jeopardy!" episodes saved on their DVR that Barry could practice with.

“Thankfully I am a teacher,” Barry said. “But it’s hard to prepare for a quiz show that is literally about everything.”

Barry says his strongest categories are geography, history and sports. Which correlates to his profession as a AP World History and European History teacher for juniors and seniors at Princeton High School.

Once Barry got on set he was not as nervous as he thought. Instead he was happy with his performance and experience.

“It never felt real and still didn’t until I walked on set," Barry said. “They film five episodes a day and I was able to watch some before I went on. It was a surreal experience to watch 'Jeopardy!' live.”

Barry signed a non-disclosure agreement and can not say how he did on the show, but locals can tune in at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4 on ABC to see him compete.

(Image via Kian Barry: Kian Barry with "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek)

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